Tonsillotome and like instrument.



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R. TAYLOR.

TONSILLOTOME AND LIKE INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED JULY 19. 1906.

Jill /wags UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TONSILLOTOME AND LIKE INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1907.

Application filed July 19,1906. Serial No. 326,378.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT TAYLOR, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at No. l Pembury road, Clapton, London, N. 15., England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Tonsillotomes and Like Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to surgical instruments of which the tonsillotome is a specific type.

The object of my invention is to so construct such instruments that they may be easilycontrolled by one hand and yet enable a firm and strong pressure to be exerted for or during actuation of the instrument.

My invention consists in an instrument of the type referred to above, having a handle on which are projections whereby said handle may be firmly held between the thumb and the root of the forefinger leaving the remaining fingers free to engage another suitably shaped handle or handles or the like and to effect a good grip.

My invention also consists in a device for retraction of a tonsillotome or like blade.

Referring to the accompanying drawings; Figure 1. represents a tonsillotome constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 represents a modification of the same.

In carrying my invention into effect in the form illustrated in Fig. 1 as applied to an ordinary tonsil lotome having a cutting member, (1, adapted to slide between a fixed member, b, with aperture, 0, and another member, h, I attach at the desired angle from the end of the slide, 1), in any suitable rigid, removably or adjustably rigid, manner a member, d, of such a length as to insure the required range. A second member, e, crosses this and is pivoted thereto by any suitable hinge, f, and forms with its fellow already spoken of a complete forceps arrangement which is disposed in a plane identical, or collateral or approximately so, with that of the instrument taken as a whole. This member, e, has its own handle or trigger, l0, and is connected to the end of the cutting or moving member, a, by a piece, 9, which may be of any convenient form to allow sufficient play for the eccentric motion of the same.

It will be obvious that the instrument might now be used,especially if a retracting device, as for example that hereinafter described, be suppliedin an ordinary forceps grasping method, but, in order that the slide may be kept in action steadily upon its work,

through which the pulp or soft part of the thumb may readily adapt itself. In a suitable position near this catch I form two or the equivalent of-two flattened, small mutually diverging and slightly recurvent horns of metal or the like, it and l. The equivalent of these, for example, may consist in a single piece projecting over both sides of the handle, *5. These horns which may be made adjustable, come up into the space between the thumb and the root of the forefinger the inner or near one, It, curving on to the thumb back or around it the other one, Z, curving on to the root of or ,behind the root of the forefinger. This arrangement of parts most effectually insures the handle being kept from all disconcerting movement rotary or otherwise quite independently of finger action proper, the fingers being left free to act in a forceps compressing manner as desired for cutting.

A spring to open the blades of the forceps arrangement while not necessary may be supplied and I find that both in this device and in the ordinary Mackenzie tonsillotome a most conveniently removable device for this purpose is to furnish the spade, a, of the tonsillotome with a catch on its back such asa small knob, m, and from this to run an elastic band or the like, n, in tension back to the small binding screw, 0, that keeps blade and slide together.

Although I have described and illustrated my invention as applied to a tonsillotome, it is to be understood that I may apply the same to other surgical or like instruments such as devices for grasping, crushing, constricting and cutting at an angle to the operating hand. Again instruments in which the operation is performed by a movement of a cutting or like element against another co-acting element, or vice versa, towards the operator may be adapted by modified shape and disposition of similar devices as have been detailed, such as tonsillotomes after this manner. My invention as applied to such a tonsillotome is described with reference to Fig. 2 in which a cutting member, a, with aperture, p, slides between fixed members, b and h, the former having an aperture, 0. A handle, a, to the cutting member is formed preferably in one piece with said member, an antifriction roller, q, being provided if desired. The handle, 1', attached to the fixed member, b, is formed with projections, j, k, Z, as in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described, but in this case the thumb rest is shown of a ring type as previously stated but not illustrated. A spring, r, may be provided if desired to automatically reset the blade.

Throughout this specification both in description and claims the word handle is to be interpreted in a broad sense and includes such a device as a trigger as hereinbefore mentioned which could be actuated by one finger, or any other equivalent device.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In surgical and like instruments in combination, a handle, projections on said handle Shaped so that the instrument may be entirely supported by said projections engaging the thumb and the root of the forefinger of one hand leaving the fingers of the hand free; as set forth.

2. In surgical and like instruments in combination, a handle, a projection on said handle adapted to receive the ball of the thumb, a projection on said handle adapted to engage the back of the thumb, and a projection on said handle adapted to engage the root of the forefinger leaving the fingers of the hand free as set forth.

3. In surgical and like instruments in combination, a handle, projections on said handle shaped so that the instrument may be entirely supported by said projections engaging the thumb and the root of the forefinger of one hand leaving the fingers of the hand free, a fixed member, a movable member, and elastic means connecting said members as set forth.

4. In surgical and like instruments in combination, a handle, a projection on said handle adapted to receive the ball of the thumb, a projection on said handle adapted to engage the back of the thumb, and a projection on said handle adapted to engage the root of the forefinger, leaving the fingers of the hand free, a fixed member, a movable member, and elastic means connecting said members; as set forth.

5. In surgical and like instruments in combination, a handle, projections on said handle shaped so that the instrument may be entirely supported by said projections engaging the thumb and the root of the forefinger of one hand leaving the fingers of the hand free, a guide member rigidly connected with said handle, a second handle member, cutting means connected to said second member, and elastic means connecting said first handle member to said second handle member; as set forth.

G. In surgical and like instruments in combination, a handle, a projection on said handle adapted to receive the ball of the thumb, a projection on said handle adapted to engage the back of the thumb, and a projection on said handle adapted to engage the root of the forefinger leaving the fingers of the hand free, a guide member rigidly connected with said handle, a second handle member, cutting means connected to said second member, and elastic means connecting said first handle member to said secondhandle member; as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT TAYLOR.

Witnesses T. .T. LEAFORD, H. D. .IAMnsoN. 

